POULTRY INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20332, 13 August 1929, Page 14

POULTRY INDUSTRY.

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'CHOICE OF HEAVY BREEDS

"REAT VARIETY AVAILABLE

POINTS FOR ATTENTION

Having dealt- with sonic of tho nnun points that usually decide the choice of light breeds, it is of interest to consider the same in regard to tho larger choice available to, those who prefer a heavy

breed. Once again, all farmers and suburban householders arc urged to dis card crosses, especially those that show signs of more than two breeds. These cannot possibly give the samo satisfaction as purebrcds, for only rarely will a jirst cross lay better than either of the original breeds, whereas, usually, crossing <loes little more than reproduce Iho worst points in ca.oh constituent breed. Considering how cheaply one can now obtain purebred stock or eggs at this time of tho year, it is astonishing why

to many people aro content io run a ilock which is often a mixture of a dozen breeds. Even those who prefer pure breds aro often at a great disadvantage through tho common tendency to keep more than one breed There is no ad vantage in a second breed, and usually it is only a' cause of additional work and anxiety. Recent shows will doubtless have caused most people to develop a fancy for homo particular breed, and if that fancy is at all pronounced it is best to follow it up, for it will// probably give better results than a breed which has been recommended by somebody else. Thcro is hardly a man or woman in tho country ■who will not give more attention to tho breed that is personally fancied than to another one. Preference to Orpingtons. Although at present most people's thoughts turn to Black Orpingtons, it must not necessarily be concluded that 1 hey aro the best. They are certainly enjoying a wonderful popularity, and that very popularity makes them easy to breed, for a buyer has tho choice from several strains thai Jiavo been brought up to a high standard .through tho pressure of . keen competition. In America, when once peoplo are pre pared to go past Whito Leghorns, which enjoy all tho greater popularity through tho American preference for white eggs, there is a great iun on Barred, Rocks, whereas very few have been seen in New Zealand for thirty years. In England thcro is a gieat run on Rhode Island Hods and Light Sussex, and yet nobody tan say they are any better than Orpingtons and Wyandottes. A good /•leal of the initial preference for Black Orpingtons is undoubtedly due to tho case with which all self-coloured birds can bo made to conform to type, as compared with those of varied colours, for in the latter it is most difficult to have tho necessary regard for type, when colon- is so important. That is to say. a Silver Wyandotte -or Rhodo Island Red may be almost perfect in type, and yet must bo rejected altogether for defective colouring, whereas a White Wyandotte or Black Orpington is never so far away from the standard colour as to make it useless if it is otherwise true to type.

Comparison of Values. These two latter breeds would run quite a good race, it they started off tho samo mark. Probably the principal advantage in tho White Wyandotte is that the young

males are fit for eating at any age. They always carry plenty of condition, thus making it convenient to kill them off as required, or to sell them to avoid overcrowding. Black Orpingtons, on the other hand, are rather slow in putting on condition, as they develop bone and size first, condition coming at a much later age. In New Zealand at present the best strains of Black Orpington are better layers than the best strains of White "Wyandottes. With these respective points to "weigh against each other, prospective breeders must . make their own choice, always bearing in mind that strain is moro important than breed, and that a good strain of Wyandotte is better than a weak strain of Orpington, and vico versa. / There are always a great many people, however, who prefer coloured breeds, and they havo a wido choice. Buff Orpingtons seemed at ono time likely to hit the popular taste, but they aro so difficult to breed true to colour that they now appeal to very fqw but experts. The. same applies moro or less to Rhode Island Reds, ■with the exception that a good many people aro quite content to ignore tho proper coloui and simply keep them because they like a buff fcortunately, there aro a few breeders who go to the trouble anc}'expense of keeping tho colour riglit in their own yard, and n" others are prepared to renew their strain at regular intervals they may keep their whole flock fairly truo to colour. 7 Light Sussex Breed.

Light Suss'ex have developed a great run in England, but the type seen here would stand a good deal of improvement, and sometimes birds appear in shows which are well below tho standard A few importero are sparing no expense, and if they put their money into quality rather than quantity tho brood might take on bettfv Seeing some of tho specimens in the shows forces one to the conclusion that the sooner tho correct standard is broadcast tho better. then breeders, who are r.ot up to-date would not discredit the breed by showing birds which are so heavily below the coirect typo and colour. Silver and Golden Wyandottes have had over since these beauti fill broods were introduced, and this seems likely to continue, with no indication of any" very pronounced popularity except to the limited number whose fancy they strike for various reasons. Tho type js about''up to its former standard, and thoy seem to have appealed to a great many peoplo who like a quiet bird of small size.' Langshans are enjoying a renewal of favour, but it has not yet been estab lished that thev are any hotter than Black Orpingtons, a breed which originally had a good deal of Langshan in its make-up.